Nigeria and Ghana have joined forces to condemn recent violence targeting African nationals in South Africa.
Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Sola Enikanolaiye and Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa discussed the crisis during a bilateral meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The talks took place on the sidelines of the Economic Community of West African States mid-year summit on Friday.
Both ministers expressed concern over growing anti-immigrant protests and what they described as xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.
Protests target foreign nationals
The protests have been driven by groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa.
Foreign nationals have reportedly faced violence, while some shops have been looted during demonstrations in parts of the country.
Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the ministers held “constructive and frank discussions” about the situation.
He said they believed the attacks threatened African unity, solidarity, regional integration and the free movement of people.
More than 53 000 foreign nationals have reportedly been repatriated to their home countries during the recent unrest.
Countries demand urgent response
Nigeria and Ghana called for urgent and coordinated intervention by regional and continental organisations.
The ministers said African institutions must address the causes of the tensions, protect migrants and promote peaceful coexistence.
They condemned xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence against fellow Africans.
The ministers said people living in South Africa unlawfully should be processed according to the law.
They stressed that undocumented migrants should not be subjected to violence that could also affect legally documented residents.
Issue heading to AU summit
Nigeria and Ghana agreed to work together to ensure Afrophobia is placed on the agenda of the next African Union summit.
They also called on AU member states to recommit to Pan-Africanism, mutual respect and the free movement of people.
The ministers encouraged sustained public education and dialogue to fight prejudice between African communities.
Their intervention increases diplomatic pressure on South Africa as concerns grow across the continent about the treatment and safety of foreign nationals.